Travel the land 'Down Under'. Sleep under the stars in a bush camp, take a hot air balloon ride, then grab a cold beer with all your new friends at one of the oldest Territory pubs. Gorgeous gorges & national parks leave you breathless as you get to know the backyard of Australia, plus Darwin offers the draw of the big city with shopping & nightlife not to be missed.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Darwin

Welcome to Australia's best-kept secret, the Northern Territory. We get right into it, ‘cos lets face it, up here we’ve got to! First up, the East Point Military Reserve and Darwin Museum, then there’s your chance to come face to face with a 5m crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove, travel is all about facing your fears, right? Later, hit Darwin’s legendary bars for a night out to celebrate the epic days to come.

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Day 2: Darwin to Kakadu National Park via Litchfield National Park

Leaving the city vibe behind, it's time to get into the lush natural landscape of the Territory.But - why rush? Best make the most of our day and check out the enormous termite mounds and thick rainforest of Litchfield National Park. Here we'll hit the famous Florence Falls – four waterfalls pouring over a wide plateau into deep, picture-perfect waterholes surrounded by thick rainforest. Grab those swimmers and take a dip in the transparent waters. Cool, fresh, bliss.

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Day 3: Kakadu National Park

A Kakadu National Park adventure awaits today, complete with swamps, rainforest, wetlands, woodlands, plants, insects and 75 different types of reptiles to uncover. We’ll head to a Cultural Centre and Nourlangie Rock to learn about thousands of years old rock art, then jump on a wildlife boat cruise with one main mission – croc spotting. With 20,000sq km of World Heritage-listed goodness to explore, Kakadu delivers every time.

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Day 4: Kakadu National Park to Katherine

Today we head towards Katherine, resting up so we can head deep into the bush region in the morning to check out ancient rock art dating back almost 20,000 years and learn about the areas deep Aboriginal past. After all that dry desert time we'll be digging this afternoon's new scene of riverside Katherine. Pool hangs and team dinner, anyone?

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Day 5: Katherine to Tennant Creek via Mataranka and Daly Waters

Today we venture further South towards Tennant Creek.Nothing heals a tired travelling body like swimming in 34 degree thermal pools. Mataranka - we're coming in cool, so do your worst. Next up we get uber vintage in the Daly Waters pub - it's been serving booze and hosting country ruckus since 1893 and is local outback life at it's very best. Filled with lively Aussie characters and memorabilia of days gone by, it's the perfect lunch break en route to our next stop. Tonight we take things totally rural, staying in the 'true blue' Tennant Creek - the only point of contact for the million-acre cattle stations of the surrounding area.

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Day 6: Tennant Creek to Alice Springs via Wycliffe Well and Devils Marbles

This morning we leave Tennant Creek and its barren ways behind and head north, cutting through the Renner Springs that divide the red desert of Australia's centre & the tropics of the north.Stop one falls in the spooked out category - Australia's UFO capital. With only a few permanent residents, Wycliffe Well is little more than a roadhouse in the middle of no man's land, though many people venture here with aliens on the brain.Less of the spooky and more of the weird, Devils Marbles boasts two boulders that look a little like giant potatoes on a chopping board. Go figure. Tonight it's all about getting experimental with Aussie meat. Kangaroo, crocodile, camel & steak while listening to Aussie folk songs and rubbing shoulders with some local Aussie characters - this is The Overlander Steakhouse, where the term "I'm so full" will be taken to all new levels.

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Day 7: Alice Springs to Kings Creek Station

Move over Bear Grylls, as by the time we’ve finished this morning’s Aboriginal ‘Bushtucker’ tour we’ll be all over knowing how to survive in the bush. Your Local Guide will give you the 101 on insect eating and plant sampling, and there’ll even be real life bushtucker treats to get stuck in to (if you dare) – witchetty grubs and kangaroo tails for breakfast, yes please... The authentic Aussie experience continues this evening as we bed down for the night under the desert stars at Kings Creek Station, an outback camel and cattle station. We’ll be sleeping like babies after an afternoon spent exploring the land. “Going bush” (sleeping outdoors) is pretty much as Aussie as they come, so snuggle down in your swag and gaze into the Milky Way with the squad.

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Day 8: Kings Creek Station to Uluru

Our day's intermittence is in the creamy orange plains of the mighty Kings Canyon. Grab your sneakers, your camera and your sense of adventure – you’re guided hike awaits. We’ll be visiting landmarks like the ‘Garden of Eden’ waterhole and the ‘Lost City’, all the while gazing in astonishment at landscapes where blue and orange stretch as far as the eye can see. With Kings Canyon off the list, our next majestic spot is one you’ve been waiting for - Uluru. Discovered completely by accident on 18 July, 1873, it's hard to believe this imposing rock region wasn’t spotted sooner. Prepare to be amazed...Uluru is a staggering 700 million years old. Yes, you read that right. We’ll spend our afternoon walking through Uluru’s neighbour Kata Tjuṯa, aka 'The Olgas', before arriving at our eco-friendly outback resort for some well-deserved chill time by the pool.

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Day 9: Uluru

Get that bucket list back out and prepare to throw a red tick on page one - this morning we watch the sunrise at Uluru. We’ll learn why the site is of such spiritual significance to the Aboriginal people, and there’s even the chance to see the area from a completely different angle – Scenic flight, anyone? Just as we love a good sunrise, we’re suckers for a sunset, so tonight we’ll be raising a glass of champagne at Uluru, toasting our Aussie adventure, naturally.

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Day 10: Uluru to Alice Springs

After a leisurely morning and BBQ breakfast - yep, you can literally BBQ any meal in Oz – it’s time to wave goodbye to Uluru as we make our way back to Alice Springs. Spend your free evening exploring the local nightlife, chilling by the pool or grab a drink and kick back with your Contiki crew.

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Day 11: Alice Springs

After a last breakfast with the squad, your Red Centre soiree has come to an end. Swap social deets, squeeze in last minute hugs and start making plans for Contiki round 2...

From bush camping under the stars to hotels and lodges, this trip has a healthy dose of authentic and comfortable travel

Food

This trip includes 14 meals. From good old-fashioned Aussie BBQs to bush tucker, there are myriad exotic food options. You might like to chow down kangaroo, emu, crocodile or camel (but you don't have to)

Staff

You'll be safe in the hands of your professional Trip Manager, who knows the streets of Australia better than you know the hairs on your toes. When it comes to transport, an experienced and legendary driver team will be taking the reins; trust us, they're always a hoot

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Tour Highlights:

Darwin: Visit the Darwin Museum & see the Cyclone Tracy display,See the harbour & East Point Military Reserve

Darwin to Kakadu National Park: Stay near Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park: Visit a Cultural Centre,Hike to see the Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock

Kakadu National Park to Katherine: Stay near Kakadu National Park,Visit Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge & see the sheer rock walls and wildlife